Photo: SRF/Rob Lewis

The Wiwi Jury — our in-house team of music unprofessionals — is reviewing and rating the 40 competing songs in Eurovision 2022. Next we review Switzerland, who have chosen Marius Bear with “Boys Do Cry”.

Were we flooded with tears? Read on to find out!

Marius Bear – “Boys Do Cry” (Switzerland Eurovision 2022)

Review: Marius Bear – “Boys Do Cry”

Josh: Marius Bear’s “Boys Do Cry” is the sweetest, most genuine song we have in this year’s contest. His smoky vocal is so full of depth, and the simple jazz rhythm leaves nothing else for the listener to be distracted by. “Boys DO cry, and they need to be allowed to” is a very important message. While the studio cut doesn’t quite give me the feels in exactly the same way as a few of the other songs do, and while I worry how many will find this boring just because it’s a slow song, with very thoughtful staging, I think all the elements are there for Switzerland to have one of THE moments of Eurovision 2022.

Score: 8.5

Jonathan: It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. At least it is for those in the UK who are well acquainted with the emotional songs featured in the annual John Lewis Christmas advert. “Boys Do Cry” very much falls in line with this genre of songs and there’s certainly an emotive pull to the soft and tender melody. That being said, the advert’s song is usually just there to be in the background of the heart-wrenching story about a penguin, monster or man on the moon. This is the challenge Switzerland faces at Eurovision – deliver an emotional sucker punch or fade into the background. Based on audio alone, it’s leaning towards the latter.

Score: 5

Robyn: Look, I’m all for emotional vulnerability, guys who aren’t afraid to open up. But does it have to be through such an unremarkable song? “Boys Do Cry” doesn’t stand out enough. It’s more like background music, something that plays while something more interesting happens. The message is good but the delivery isn’t working.

Score: 2

William: Switzerland’s song is a silent threat. It’s not made for the loud, raucous crowds of Eurovision pre-parties, nor was it engineered for the Spotify algorithm. Instead this comes straight from the heart, transmitting sincerity and tenderness as it rides on the beautiful waves and reverberations of Marius’ voice. Boys do cry — and Bears do too. With intimate staging that showcases the man as much as the voice, this will shock many by climbing the scoreboard. 

Score: 7.5

Angus: Restrained ballads can be fantastic. At their best they’re refreshing, mesmerising and a pause amidst the Eurovision madness. Unfortunately, “Boys Do Cry” is not at its best. Plodding, leaden and altogether flat, there’s little to grab onto here. Which is not to say this is a ballad at its worst… Marius sounds fantastic, the strings and growing production through the second verse are lovely… but this lacks a wow factor. 

Score: 4

Switzerland Eurovision 2022 ranking

In the Eurovision 2022 Wiwi Jury, we have 18 jurors but only have room for five reviews. The remaining scores are below:

Antranig: 7.5

Cinan: 5

Deban: 7

Lucy: 2.5

Luis: 5

Natalie: 3

Oliver: 6.5

Pablo: 6.5

Renske: 6.5

Ron: 3.5

Sebastian: 3

Suzanne: 5

Tom: 8

We have removed the highest and lowest scores prior to calculating the average. This is to remove outliers and potential bias. We have removed a low of 2 and a high of 8.5.

Wiwi Jury verdict: 5.34/10

What do you think of Switzerland’s Eurovision 2022 entry? Share your own score and review for Marius Bear’s “Boys Do Cry” below!

81 Comments
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ESC Stan
ESC Stan
1 year ago

I adore this song. His raspy crooning is heaven to me. I would sing along if this was on the radio. None of this means this is a eurovision song.

Anhel
Anhel
1 year ago

I’ve never seen a bigger downgrade from a country from one year to the next: for me in 21 Switzerland was 2nd and in 22 it’s 37/40.

ESCLOU
ESCLOU
1 year ago

2.5/10 I like his voice…? Sorry but this song to me is so extraordinarily mediocre, the lyrics make me cringe and I feel really bad because it is a good message, it just feels a little forced? This is my last place…

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
1 year ago

Initially I had it ranked towards where you do but then moved it up somewhat. I’m pretty confident I can find ten worse songs than this without stretching myself too hard.
I definitely think there are songs out there that are much more cynical and failed songwriting camp than Switzerland’s, even though the point you make is one that could have some truth to it.

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
1 year ago

This is better than a lot of people are giving it credit for. As with many, I was online for the premiere and hit by the same wave of disappointment as we all realised that Switzerland was not building on the momentum and quality they’ve had for the past three years but, this is a song that gets better the more you listen to it. The lyrical content is a strength for me with plenty of memorable, linguistic imagery. Marius has a strong voice to deliver this sort of song with some small shades of Louis Armstrong in his delivery,… Read more »

Colin
Colin
1 year ago
Reply to  Briekimchi

This is probably the closest opinion to mine. Switzerland is now in my mid 20s and among the songs I could see going either way in a good (and mostly slow) line-up of semi 1. It’s a mood, and perhaps more than any other song this year, really relies on the staging. As I said to Sabrina the other day that my incoming review of Switzerland might come as a surprise. I gave it a 6.5. Anyone who sees it as just another review might be surprised to see a rating this high. Anyone who knows my personal liking of… Read more »

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
1 year ago
Reply to  Colin

I *just* replied to your review below and yes, I was a little surprised that the actual rating wasn’t just a little bit higher. At the moment, I’m struggling to picture that staging that would get this into the hearts of the televoters. Hypothetically, it’s possible but I don’t have an actual image in my mind. It’s best chance, in my mind, is for Marius to pull out something special. And, so far, I’m not seeing where that’s coming from either. I am worried for this song’s chances…but I’m going to continue to enjoy it every time I listen to… Read more »

Colin
Colin
1 year ago
Reply to  Briekimchi

I was close to giving it a 7 at one point, but the question over how metaphors are used, and the question over how to stage it made it a 6.5. It is still a solid rating. So far, it shares that ranking with Belgium, Ireland, and San Marino. I enjoy all of these songs for a different reason, yet I find things to improve. In fact, Belgium is the only one among them who is as good as it is without a revamp (the ”no” parts really aren’t for me). The other three can improve with staging. This year,… Read more »

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
1 year ago
Reply to  Briekimchi

Rating: 6.5/10.0

Lil Krumpy
Lil Krumpy
1 year ago

29.Switzerland – I mean, it’s nice, it’s emotional. It’s very slow and sad. But I can see it being forgotten.

Lambert
Lambert
1 year ago

Suitable for in the elevator. No way that this will qualify.

The Voice of Reason
The Voice of Reason
1 year ago

I generally like the old ‘rat-pack’ vibes of the song. However, Marius Bear has NOT played his cards right. Him selling NFTs has made many people in the Eurovision community HATE him. I know other artists like Mahmood have done this (which we should speak out against) but if you told anyone he sold NFTs they would instantly try to forget this song.

esc1234
esc1234
1 year ago

Just because Switzerland sent good entries the last few years doesn’t mean that this is a qualifier. The fandom will be shocked when this stay in the semi. Is it a shock though?

Preuss
Preuss
1 year ago

Meh, I just think that after Fuego and Gjon’s Tears, this entry is pretty underwhelming. Let’s see if they can elevate it on the stage. Sacha Jean Baptiste will work on this so it can go both ways really, either really good or bad

Markus
Markus
1 year ago
Reply to  Preuss

Meh… after Fuego?

Preuss
Preuss
1 year ago
Reply to  Markus

Yeah Switzerland 2019

Markus
Markus
1 year ago
Reply to  Preuss

I guess you filed Luca Haenni and his „She got me“ from 2019 under „male Fuego entries“. 😉

Ganymede
Ganymede
1 year ago

Giving a song of this quality a 2 just proves that Robyn has no business being on Wiwibloggs. An unfounded opinion. Sorry girl, but you’ll never be credible again.

Flavia
Flavia
1 year ago
Reply to  Ganymede

It’s an opinion, girl, you have no business having an opinion either then, if you’re gonna play that game. Live a bit

Ganymede
Ganymede
1 year ago
Reply to  Flavia

Girl? Oh my god… Flavia, mind your own business please.

CookyMonzta
CookyMonzta
1 year ago

A silent threat, indeed. A very old-school feel to this song, which I imagine will fare well with the juries. Can it crack the top 10? I think it can. Many questioned whether Salvador Sobral (Portugal 2017) could win with this type of ballad, even though it was stuck at 4th or 5th on the bookies’ boards for a long time.

Colin
Colin
1 year ago

SWITZERLAND – I understand why some people think that this is too monotone to be noted, but for me, the upsides of this elegant throwback song outweigh its downsides. There is a cool jazzy vibe underneath its slow melody. It brings me back to the era of old films, and it does it in a really classy way. The lyrics carry a meaningful message of male empowerment through showing emotions, and Marius’ voice is beautiful. The metaphors in the chorus are perhaps a tad gloomy for the uplifting idea behind the message. The song doesn’t have a big build-up, and… Read more »

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
1 year ago
Reply to  Colin

This is another one we’re not too far off on. I’ll have to double-check your list to see where a 6.5 places this but I can’t imagine it’s too far away from where I’ve got it based on how you typically rate and also, your actual comment. I do there there is an idea that this song is a callback to an earlier era of music but I don’t know how genuinely they capture that moment. I don’t think it’s anywhere near close to getting to the level of success that something like Lithuania manages. Maybe some of that is… Read more »

Chingiz Tulegenov
Chingiz Tulegenov
1 year ago

Yet again, completely agree with Robyn’s review. How is this so high in odds still puzzles me

Efthymios
Efthymios
1 year ago

The ballad itself isn’t that bad but will 100% follow the exact same CATASTROPHIC recipe: A plain, empty-feeling stsging supporting the song. I feel that Switzerland is doomed already. Not even the juries will be able to save this.
As for the song itsellf? Decent, Marius Bear has a great voice but that’s just it. My 34th place, with a 5/10 rating.

ESCFanGA
ESCFanGA
1 year ago

It’s disappointing to see Switzerland send such a dull and forgettable song to Eurovision considering how well they did the past two contests. It would be quite shocking and bizarre for a country to make top five two years in a row and then to NQ (something which I don’t think has ever happened in Eurovision before).

Midnight Gold
Midnight Gold
1 year ago
Reply to  ESCFanGA

Turkey 2011, coming after maNga and Hadise.

Colin
Colin
1 year ago
Reply to  Midnight Gold

Also, even if top top 5 in all cases, but Armenia failed to qualify in 2011 after 5 consecutive top 10 results.

Midnight Gold
Midnight Gold
1 year ago
Reply to  Colin

Same goes for Russia 2018, their only NQ after a typical Russian streak of great but hugely overrated and undeserved results.

Héctor
Héctor
1 year ago

The usual wrong choice. Superb singer paired with a bland ballad. It may qualify with a decent stagin and performance. I mean, even if the song is boring one can’t deny this entry exudes quality and elegance. But Eurovision is a contest and “Boys Do Cry” is not competitive.

Ralf0711
Ralf0711
1 year ago

Already one of my favorite new singers in 2022. What a voice. I like the whole album, especially the ballads. I hope so much that he will reach the final, and than we will have one of these magical ESC moments ( like we had with Salvador). Good luck Switzerland, good luck Marius, you sing a beautiful song for your country.

Jo.
Jo.
1 year ago

a silent threat to my insomnia

Pauly
Pauly
1 year ago

With intimate staging that showcases the man as much as the voice, this will shock many by climbing the scoreboard. —->

Williams knows something!

Actually, the fact that Switzerland is so high with bookies, can only mean one thing: staging is going to elevate the song a lot!

I love it so much, yes it’s not a song for Eurovision and it does not stand out to be memorable and get televotes but it’s a sweet song that I could see on TV ads. I hope the staging elevates it.

Polegend Godnova
1 year ago
Reply to  Pauly

switzerland is probably only so high with the bookies because they did well for the past two editions and a lot of people placed their odds on it before this flop came out, and then forgot to remove them

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
1 year ago
Reply to  Pauly

I think the bookmaker odds are probably accurate with relation to Switzerland’s chances to “win Eurovision 2022” as those odds do specify. It is *attempting* to be something special in the same way that something like Victoria’s entry last year attempted. That one missed the mark and there’s a good chance that this one does, too. However, if I may compare it to another entry to clarify my point..let me use Cyprus. I am 90% that Cyprus are going to achieve a better result than Switzerland this year. Yet, I’m fairly certainly that Cyprus has no chance to win the… Read more »

pmsbm
pmsbm
1 year ago
Reply to  Briekimchi

Not Switzerland nor Australia have any chance of winning this year. They are simply not universal enough to get sufficient votes to get even close to that…

Polegend Godnova
1 year ago
Reply to  pmsbm

i mean, when the odds are under 3% it’s like the bookies think there’s no chance for the song to win regardless of whether it’s ranked 14th or 40th.

Pablo Nava
Editor
1 year ago

The delivery of this one doesn’t just need to be good, it needs to be extremely creative. Piano Man won’t cut it, and too much can make it look corny. If they don’t hit that sweet spot, this can get lost.

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
1 year ago
Reply to  Pablo Nava

^ Exactly. This is going to face a real challenge in being interesting enough both visually and musically to get points.

Dawid
Dawid
1 year ago

Are the wiwi jury videos coming?

Jonas
Jonas
1 year ago
Reply to  Dawid

No.

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
1 year ago

It’s sad that Marius is going to singing such a ploddingly dull jazz song, because I like Marius. Okay, so this song will probably make a fortune if it is sold to a Christmas soundtrack, but other than this, just… why? “Boys do cry” is rather stating the obvious, don’t people think? In fact, I feel like crying right now, for Marius and for Switzerland.

Jonas
Jonas
1 year ago
Reply to  Purple Mask

I don’t think it’s obvious that boys cry. At least not to boys, which seems to be the point of the song.

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
1 year ago
Reply to  Jonas

Then the song is supposed to be educational? 😀

Jonas
Jonas
1 year ago
Reply to  Purple Mask

I suppose, yeah. Not for us, but for the people who need to hear it.

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
1 year ago
Reply to  Jonas

Good to know that Marius and Martin (the songwriters) are providing ESC viewers with free education.

Polegend Godnova
1 year ago
Reply to  Jonas

i’ll recommend this song to my worst enemies, they need to suffer i mean hear it indeed

Scott
Scott
1 year ago

It’s as if Switzerland decided to play safe with a cozy , almost Christmas like, ballad. It’s very warm , very endearing, but it’s a backward step after the past 2 entries for CH…. it’s taking them back to self indulgent easy listening entries that never did them much good.

Vivian
Vivian
1 year ago

I enjoy parts of the song, parts about it I don’t. The lyrical context overall makes sense, and I do think many underappreciate the value, but yeah… the chorus is where these take a nosedive for a while but overall I still enjoy it a lot. Like William has mentioned, there is huge potential for this to become a beautiful intimate moment during the first semifinal, and I hope it will. For me it’s a 6.5/10 right now but with good staging it could grow lots.

Yankee
Yankee
1 year ago

This is my 9th favorite song at ESC 2022. It has gradually grew on me.

just an esc fan
just an esc fan
1 year ago

Although this song is very overhated as it’s absolutely nothing compared to Gjon’s Tears’ entries, this still remains a bad song for me. Just like Azerbaijan, it’s a snooze fest for me. The only good thing is his voice. I’m afraid Switzerland might return to their NQ days. The only way i can see this qualifying is by having a really emotional staging. For now, it’s not looking really good for Switzerland.

Rating: 3/10 (31st)

Polegend Godnova
1 year ago

i can’t really find any redeeming qualities in this song. the lyrics are pretentious, the vocal delivery has zero emotion to it, the melody is non-existent. i’ll be very upset if it somehow squeezes through in the final, but i’m confident it’s a major candidate for 0 points in the semi televote.

Kaija
Kaija
1 year ago

Could pull off a Denmark 2017 and be saved by the juries

Polegend Godnova
1 year ago
Reply to  Kaija

with all the beautiful ballads in this semi, i really hope the juries don’t choose to vote for this one. i’ll understand them heavily voting for the netherlands, portugal and iceland… not this one that offers absolutely nothing.

Jonas
Jonas
1 year ago

I think Switzerland are the only country to have done that already. I could be wrong.

Colin
Colin
1 year ago
Reply to  Jonas

Total zero points (2004-2021):

  • Switzerland 2004 in the semi
  • Czech Republic 2009 in the semi
  • Austria 2015 in the final
  • Germany 2015 in the final
  • United Kingdom 2021 in the final
Jonas
Jonas
1 year ago
Reply to  Colin

Thank you. I knew about the ones in the final, but thought Switzerland were the only ones to do it in a semi-final. At least they were the first, good for them.

Colin
Colin
1 year ago
Reply to  Jonas

You are welcome. 🙂 Celebrate and Ave Romale – two songs whose 0 points I can sadly understand. The ones in the finals felt more unfair, even if I realize that both years were very competitive, and with many better songs.

Polegend Godnova
1 year ago
Reply to  Jonas

the czech republic got 0 from the televote in the semi-final last year as well

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
1 year ago

I remember reading your tweet when this one came out and was pretty sure you were never going to soften towards it. :3

Stephanie
Stephanie
1 year ago

I don’t know but for some reason this song gives me Christmas vibes….

Azan
Azan
1 year ago
Reply to  Stephanie

OMG, I totes relate

Andrew
Andrew
1 year ago
Reply to  Stephanie

YES! Like the John Lewis Christmas advert!

Polegend Godnova
1 year ago
Reply to  Stephanie

it’s the equivalent to getting charcoal from santa

conortje
conortje
1 year ago

He has a wonderful voice but whoever wrote the line ‘And sometimes aeroplanes fall down from the sky’ should seriously reconsider their muse. The world is horrible enough without having to hear this completely gratuitous phrase in a Eurovision song.

Andrew
Andrew
1 year ago
Reply to  conortje

Omg give me strength. Talk about searching for something to be offended by. How precious!

conortje
conortje
1 year ago
Reply to  Andrew

I’m not remotely offended. I simply think it’s clunky and unnecessary and just poor writing. Have a good day 🙂

Jonas
Jonas
1 year ago
Reply to  conortje

I’ll be generous, and imagine it’s a metaphor. Even boys who think they’re strong will sometimes have weak moments.

Sabrina
Sabrina
1 year ago

Marius has a lovely voice, but not even the best vocalist in the world could make this song interesting to me. I’m all for delicate entries challenging the notion of what fits Eurovision, but this one gets lost in the background every time I give it a shot. Though the actual biggest problem I see here is how the lyrics in the chorus sabotage the message of the song. If the intention is to set men free to demonstrate emotions, why compare their tears to big tragic things like a plane crashing, a mountain crumbling or a river running dry?… Read more »

Colin
Colin
1 year ago
Reply to  Sabrina

Your rating is lower than I expected (I was expecting around a 5/10). I might enjoy this old Disney vibe more than most people (even if Victoria did it much better 2 years ago). Your comment on the lyrics is really perceptive. While the whole message is meant to be uplifted, these rather metaphors make it all depressing. I still have no idea what to think of it.

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
1 year ago
Reply to  Colin

The Victoria comparison is a good one, although honestly, I have this at about the same level as GUIGO, but obviously, not close to TGS. I feel a lot of the problems that were present in Bulgaria’s 2021 entry with regards to the connecting with the audience and selling the message of the song are present this year with Switzerland.

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
1 year ago
Reply to  Sabrina

Your rating was a bit lower than I was expecting, too! I thought you’d appreciate some of the musical touches a bit more although, I can see a lot of your criticisms as being valid…certainly with regards how this song does tend to get lost a little. I don’t know if I’m reading the lyrics the same way that you are though. I find the final line of the chorus “and boys do cry” to be delivered in a kind of “knowing” way. As if, after listing all of these rare events, that putting boys crying after them, is poking… Read more »

Kosey
Kosey
1 year ago

31. Switzerland – Marius Bear – Boys Do Cry – 5.5/10 – a little too “on-the-nose” and a sleepy style which unfortunately does not stir the necessary emotional impact in me. This is another song heavy on its tired metaphors adding too much weight to its already weighty tone. It’s an important message to give but there are more subtle ways in which it could have been done. I have no complaints about Marcus’ vocal ability which reminds me of Louis Armstrong, but for me, the enjoyment of a song is not predicated on the singer showcasing their ability to… Read more »

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
1 year ago
Reply to  Kosey

From my reading of the comment section so far, it seems as if I am one of the bigger fans of this entry yet I can’t help but also nod along to your criticism of the lack of human feeling from this entry. I think a lot of it comes from the performer where I’m not yet completely buying the sincerity in the act and I certainly don’t think its being sold as it should be. For all I like about the song and how it sounds, to watch it being performed, it’s not connecting in the way that this… Read more »

Emily
Emily
1 year ago

Switzerland – I’ll start off by saying I really love Marius Bear’s voice and it’s very well suited to jazz. It is a sweet song but I think it’s a little too slow to be memorable, unless an intimate staging is involved maybe with elements from the music video. It’s not the worst song Switzerland have sent but to me it’s not really enough to qualify. 4.5/10

Ga89
Ga89
1 year ago

I really miss wiwi video reviews when they give scores and discus their scores, this is not enough.

sam
sam
1 year ago
Reply to  Ga89

agreed, the wiwijury videos were one of my favorite things to watch leading up to the contest. luckily theres plenty of other eurovision reviewers we can all hear from but it does suck that we only get to read a couple reviews instead of hearing a deeper discussion about the songs like previous years

Ang
Ang
1 year ago

I really like this song & hope it qualifies for the final but doubt it will as it’s not typical Eurovision fare. It reminds me of something from the 40s or 50s & Marius Bear has an exquisite voice that deserves to shine. He reminds me of a young Jimmy Rushing.

Thanos
Thanos
1 year ago

30. Switzerland: I really appreciate two things in this song: his interesting voice and the jazz feel towards the end especially. Other than that this song feels a bit boring to me. It never really takes off in any way and seems like it’s unfinished at some points. I feel like it won’t be able to qualify taking its early running order also into consideration.

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
1 year ago
Reply to  Thanos

Agreed that the climax of the song, taken on its own, implies that the journey to get there should’ve been more interesting and dramatic.

Thanos
Thanos
1 year ago
Reply to  Briekimchi

Yes that’s exactly how I feel about the ending actually. This song feels like it never actually evolves. And suddenly out of the blue a jazz finale appears. If the song had a better buildup it would have been higher in my top.